Wagon-axle



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

.(No Model.)

' N. L. HOLMES.

WAGON AXLB.

Patented Apr. l0, 1888.

N. PETERS PhowLnhographer, wnhingmn, D. c.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

N. L. HOLMES.

WAGON AXLE.

No. 880,892. l PatentedApr. l0, 1888.

59je &

f z il UNrTnn STATES PATENT Ormea.

NATHAN L. HOLMES, OF RACINE, VISCONSIN..

WAGON-AXLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 380,892, dated April 10, 1888.

Application filed May 31, 1587. Serial No.239.823. (No model.)

To a-ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, NATHAN L. HoLMEs, of

Y Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wagon-Axles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

rIhis invention relates to improvements in the construction of wagon-axles, having reference more particularly to the devices employed in a composite axle for connecting to the metal part of the axle upon which the axle-arms or spindles are formed the wooden part thereof, and to features of construction in the axle-collar andthe part of the wheelhub adjacent theretofas will hereinafter fully appear.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure l is a perspective view of the end portion of a rear axle and theaxlearm or spindle thereof. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical central section of the same, together with parts of the wheel-hub adjacent to the axle-collar. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken upon line a: x of Fig. 2. Fig. 4. is a detail section taken upon line y 1/ of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 illustrates a modification of the parts shown in Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 7` are views in elevation of two metal castings by which the wooden and metal parts of the axle are secured together. Figs. S and 9 illustrate in central section the castings shown in Figs. (i and 7 As shown in the accompanying drawings, A indicates a tubular metal axle provided with an axle-arm or spindle, A.

B is the wooden part of the axle, C, the wheel-hub, and D the axle-collar. n

E is a casting consisting of an annular part or ring, E, which embraces the axle A ad-` jacent to the spindle A', and a semicylindric part, E, extending from the ring E along the under side of the said metal part A of the axle. The axle-collar D surrounds the ring E', and is attached to or cast integral with an inwardly-extending part or shell, D', which covers the end portion of .the wooden part B of the axle, and extends downwardly at its edges to points near or in contact with the upper edges of' the semi-cylindrie part E2 of' the casting E. The shell D is embraced near its inner margin by a U-Shaped metal rod or clip F, the ends of' which pass through two verticallyaperturd lugs, E3 E3, upon the inner end of the semicylindric extension E2 of the casting E, nuts ff being placed upon the said rod or clip in such manner as-to draw the shell D' toward the inner end of the casting E, and thus ciamp the Wooden part B of the axle and tubular part A thereof firmly together.

The side walls of the shell D are preferably placed at such distance apart as to extend out side of and overlap the upper margins of the semi-cylindric part Ff of the casting E, thus enabling the wooden part B to be made thicker than the diameter of the metal axle, while at the same time allowing the said parts D and E2 to be overlapped and drawn toward each other to a greater or less extent, thus enabling the parts to be firmly bound or clamped together. The shell D' is herein shown as provided at its inner margin with two parallel ribs or flanges, e e, which forni a groove for holding the clip F in place, and which serve also as a means of strengthening the edge of said shell. The ring Fl of the casting E is fitted closely about the axle and will be usually shrunk upon the latter, and the collar D will be similarly closely fitted to and shrunk upon the part E', this construction affording a simple and reliable means of permanently attaching these said several parts to cach other.

As a further improvement in the construction of the parts described, the meeting surfaces of the casting E and the collar D are made slightly tapering, in the manner illus trated, and are circumferentially grooved or provided with shallow ridges or depressions of such size that the said parts may be placed together when the exterior collar, D, is heated, and the ridges or grooves will be permanently interlocked when the collar is cooled and shrunk upon the said casting.

The employment of ridged or grooved surfaces is of especial advantage in the construetion described, for the reason that it obviates liability ofthe collar D becoming shifted in IOO ` shell is attached to said collar.

position with relation to the casting E when the integral shell D is drawn downwardly toward the inner end of said casting E and against the wooden part of the axle by means ofthe clip F in the manner above described.

As a further improvement in theparts above described, I provide the ring E ofthe casting E with a transverse vertical projection or iiange, E4, which is located at the inner and upper margin of said ring, and is adapted to tit within the shell D and against the inner surface of the collar at the point at which the In the manufacture of axles made as herein shown the metal part A is first completed, and the castingsEE then secured upon both endsthereoi'. The metal part A of the axle is then ready for attaching the wooden part B, which lat-ter is fitted to the top surface ofthe part A, with each of its ends abutting against the anges E* E4 and the axle-collars and their attached shells D, and then slipped over the axle-arms and secured in place upon the axle.

The flanges E* enable the wooden part of the axle to be made `of exactly the right length and hold it accurately in position, so that when the collar and shell are placed upon the axle the exact lit of the parts is insured. This is important when the collar is secured in place by being shrunk on in the manner described, for the reason that the parts are put together when the collar Dis heated, and said collar cannot be removed after it is once in place. The flange Eserves also to prevent the end of the wooden part B from becoming heated and charred by contact With the axle-collar when the latter is heated for shrinking it upon the axle. Said flange is desirably made to conform closely to the inner surface of the shell, so thatthe margin of the liange may serve as a guide in shaping the end of the wooden part B, which is embraced by the shell.

G is a bracerod, such as is commonly employed to connect the axle with the hounds of a wagon. Said rod is flattened, and is provided with two holes to receive the lower ends of the clip F, and is placed and secured against the casting E by means of the nuts upon the clip. By this construction only one clip is required at each end of the axle'. The lugs or projections E3, through which the lower ends of the clip F pass, are herein shown as arranged to extend to points adjacent to the upper edges of the semi-cylindric part E2 of the casting E, so that the clip is engaged by the said lugs or projections adjacent to the lower edges of the shell D. By this construction the said lower edges of the shell are held or clamped firmly against the wood by the direct engage ment of the vertical parts of the clip with the holes in said lugs, thus preventing the side walls of the said shells D from springing 0ut Wardly, andbinding the several parts rigidly together in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 4. The lugs E3 E3 are herein shown as made of considerable vertical length, and thus form long sleeves or tubes, which cover the entire threaded part of the clips, so as protect the latter from rust and give a smooth iinish to the parts.

I have shown the lugs or projections E3 F3 as cast upon or made integral with the casting E. This construction is not, however, an essential one, inasmuch as a separate bar or casting extending beneath the said casting may be employed for the same purpose. Such separate bar or casting may, however, vcontain the same features ot' construction as above described in connection with the lugs E3 E3. H, Fig. 5, indicates such a separate bar or casting, which is made with a concave upper surface, fitting the curvature of the lowersurface of the casting E and provided at its ends with parts H H', containing vertical apertures h h,'through which the lower ends of the clip are inserted. The said parts H H are shown in said Fig. 5 as extending to the upper edge ofthe casting E, so that the said parts H H operate to hold the adjacent parts of the clip from spreadinglaterally, and thereby maintain the side walls of the shell D rigidlyin position, in the same manner as hereinafter described.

The casting E is desirably provided kwith'a shallow recess in its inner surface, as clearly indicated at e, Fig. 8, so that the casting is prevented from coming in Contact with the metal part A ofthe axle at this point. In the operation ofattaching the casting E to the metal part ofthe axle, when accomplished by heating the ring E to expand it before the casting is put in place on the axle, it is desirable that the middle part of the said casting (which part is necessarily heated to a considerable extent in the operation of heating the ring) should not be suddenly cooled by being brought directly in contact with the surface of the metal part of the axle, for the reason that the rapid cooling of the said middle part, if the latter is in contact with the axle, is liable to cause the distortion of the casting, and to thus throw out of place the inner or free end of the semi-cylindric part of the said casting. By providing the recess e in the middle part of the casting, however, said middle part of the casting is caused to cool slowly, and the contraction thereof has no effect upon the inner part of the casting, which is engaged by `the clip F, or other fastening or clamping device employed.

rIhe axle-collar D herein shown and the wheel-hub C embrace certain novel features or" construction which are adapted for usein connection with axles, which in their other parts are constructed in the particular manner shown, or otherwise. Said axlecollarandhub are made as follows: The axle-collar is provided with two iiat rims or flanges, D2 D3, between which is formed an annular depression or groove, D4. The flange D2 is smaller or of less diameter than the flange D3, and said smaller flange, D, is located adjacent to the outer or bearing face of the collar. In connection with an axle-collar thus made a wheelhub, C, is employed which is provided with a IOO rabbet or annular recess, C', adapted to receive the outer iiange, D2, and of sufficient depth to allow the inner face or end, c, of the hub to come against the flat outer face of the larger flange, D3. The construction of these parts is somewhatimproved by providing the hub with a band, G2, which extends inwardly beyond the end of the hub, so as to overlap the edge of the flange D3 in the .manner illustrated.

The part of the hub which extends over the flange D' forms with the groove DL an annular passage extending entirely around the collar, and into which any sand or dirt passing between the end of the hub and the dange D? is received. Such sand or dirt is prevented from reaching the bearing-surfaces of the spindle and hub by the fiange D2, which for this purpose is fitted closely to the inner surface of the rabbet C'. The employment of a band, C2, which extends over the edge of the fiange D, is of advantage, as it lessens rthe liability of sand or dirt getting between said flange and the hub.

To permit the free escape of dirt or sand which may reach the annular space formed by the groove D4, theange D3 is provided at a point beneath the axle with an inwardlycurved part, D5, forming a notch or recess, d, in the outer face of the flange D3, as clearly shown in Fig; l. Said notch or recess extends inwardly beyond the inner edge of the hubband Czaud forms adischarge-opening,through which will pass any sand or dirt which may enter the annular space above referred to.

In order to give a narrow bearing for the wheel-hub against the outer surface of the lflange D2, said fiangeis preferably provided with an annular rib, d', upon its inner part,or that adjacent to the spindle. Vhen the collar is attached to the axle in the particular manner herein shown and above described, the ring E of the casting E will be made flush at its end with the rim d', as clearly shown in the drawings, Fig. 2.

One main featureof novelty in my invention is embraced in a construction in which the metal and wooden parts ofthe axle are connected at their ends by two castings having annular or ring-shaped portions at their outer ends which encircle the metal part ofthe axle, and which severally embrace the metal and wooden parts of the axle, in connection with means for drawing or clamping the inner ends of the castings together. rlhis construction is herein broadly claimed without limitation to the particular details of construction in the said parts which are shown in the drawings; but inasmuch as certain of said details of construction are novel they are .made the subject of specific claims herein.

The collaraxle and hub made as above set forth are also novel, aud are hereinbroadly claimed.

I claim as my invention--w l. The combination, with the metal part A and wooden part B of an axle, of two metal parts or castings, each of which partially exnbraces the said metal and wooden parts, and which are provided at their ends nearest the axle-arm with ringshaped or annular parts surrounding the metal part A of the axle, and means for drawing and holding the said castings together, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a metal part, A, and wooden part B of an axle, of a metal part or casting, E, fitted tothe lower surface of the metal part A and provided with a ring, E', embracing the axle, a second metal part or casting covering the end portion of the wooden part of the axle, a collar, D, made integral with the casting Dl and superposed upon the ring E', and means for drawing and holding said castings together, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the metal part A of an axle and the wooden partB thereof, of a casting, E, fitted against the under surface of the metal part A and provided with a ring, E', embracing the said metal part of the axle, a shell or casting, D', embracing the end portion of the wooden part of the axle, a collar, D, made integral with the casting D', and a U-shaped metal bar or clip for clamping the said castings upon the axle, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the metal part A of an axle and the wooden part B thereof, of a casting, E, iitted against the under surface of the metal part A and provided with a ring, E', embracing thesaid metal part A, a shell or casting covering the end portion of the wooden part of the axle, and a collar, D', made integral with the said shell or casting and embracing the ring E', the contact-surfaees of the said ring E and the collar D' being circumferentially ridged or grooved, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. rIhe combinatien, with the metal part A of an axle and the wooden part B thereof, of a casting, E, fitted against the under surface of the metal part A, a casting or shell, D', embracing the end portion of the wooden part B of the axle, and a collar, D, made integral with the shell D' and embracing the ring E', the said ring E being provided with a flange, Et, fitting against the collar inside cf the said shell, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the metal part A. of an axle and the wooden part B thereof, of a casting, E,iitted against the under surface of the metal part A and provided with a ring, E', embracing the said metal part of the axle, ashell, D', embracing the end portion of the wooden part of the axle, and a collar, D, surrounding the metal portionof the axle and cast integral with the shell D', a curved metal bar or clip, F, embracing the said metal part or shell, and two rigidly-connected verticallyapertured lugs or projections, as E3 or H', engaging said clip at points adjacent to the lower edge of the said shell D', substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination, with an axle, of an IOO IIO

axle-collar provided with two anges, D2 D3, In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my the ange DI having an offset or inwardly-bent invention I aiix my signature in presence of Io portion formed in the lower part thereof, I two Witnesses.

' forming a notch, d, in the outer face of the NATHAN L HOLMES ange, and a wheel-hub provided with a rab bet, C', receiving the flange D2 andl abutting NVitnesses:

against the Iiange D3, substantially its de J. V. QUARLES, scribed. i T. W. SPENCE., 

